- Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (Jan 11 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0399525335
- ISBN-13: 978-0399525339
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 14.7 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #676,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
With guidance from top sitcom producers and examples straight from the screen, this book can help anyone write, revise--and sell--a script.
With twenty years in the business--as a writer, programming executive, and university instructor--Evan Smith knows what it takes to get from spec script to sitcom success. Here he offers the first published description of Premise-Driven Comedy, the writing method he has developed and popularized; tips from writer-producers who have worked on series from "Frasier" to "The Cosby Show" to "Roseanne;" a complete story outline from the series "Home Improvement;" explicit advice on how the business works and how to get an agent; and script layout guidelines for all three sitcom formats.
Clear, comprehensive, and cutting-edge, this is the true insider's guide to becoming a sitcom writer. Who knows--it might just be the book that inspires the world's next Seinfeld!
* Includes examples from classic and contemporary sitcoms, tips from successful writer-producers, and a complete "Home Improvement" story outline
* An author with twenty years of experience in the business
* Advice on both the business and creative aspects of a sitcom-writing career, including a discussion of Premise-Driven Comedy, Smith's innovative new writing technique
With twenty years in the business--as a writer, programming executive, and university instructor--Evan Smith knows what it takes to get from spec script to sitcom success. Here he offers the first published description of Premise-Driven Comedy, the writing method he has developed and popularized; tips from writer-producers who have worked on series from "Frasier" to "The Cosby Show" to "Roseanne;" a complete story outline from the series "Home Improvement;" explicit advice on how the business works and how to get an agent; and script layout guidelines for all three sitcom formats.
Clear, comprehensive, and cutting-edge, this is the true insider's guide to becoming a sitcom writer. Who knows--it might just be the book that inspires the world's next Seinfeld!
* Includes examples from classic and contemporary sitcoms, tips from successful writer-producers, and a complete "Home Improvement" story outline
* An author with twenty years of experience in the business
* Advice on both the business and creative aspects of a sitcom-writing career, including a discussion of Premise-Driven Comedy, Smith's innovative new writing technique
About the Author
Evan S. Smith is an associate professor at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a regular speaker at the American Film Institute. He has written sitcoms for studios including Paramount, MTM, and Twentieth Century Fox and worked as a vice president of Program Development, and when not teaching or writing, serves as a private script consultant.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
You want to write? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
You want to write? Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I scanned it straight to the money,
By David Kellogg (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Writing TV Sitcoms (Mass Market Paperback)
I scanned right throught the pages like I needed the cool breeze and stopped on the "how much will I make" page and well, it looks good to me. I also looked in other areas of the book and before I even read it I know it's exactly what I was looking for. A must for even a dream sitcom writer like me. This is a real shortcut, it covers all the information you will ever need.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring to all students of writing.,
By
This review is from: Writing TV Sitcoms (Mass Market Paperback)
Evan Smith introduces Writing Television Sitcoms as the all-in-one writer's guide to sitcoms. It sounds heavy, but honestly true. There is no aspect of TV sitcom writing a student, or otherwise, could dream up a question for which Smith doesn't have an answer. He covers how to create a sitcom, write it, and sell it. And in the first chapters he even details how anyone can make a career in writing. You will find yourself beaming with childlike enthusiasm as your eyes run through Writing Television Sitcoms.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sitcoms from the ground up,
By A Customer
This review is from: Writing TV Sitcoms (Mass Market Paperback)
Smith goes right to the foundations of sitcom writing, and leads his reader through all the steps to a funny, saleable product. He explains his 'premise-driven comedy' in terms a beginner can comprehend and put to immediate use; a pro will find suggestions for boosting his batting average, and will recognize the voice of someone who's been there, and done that. Kudos to Smith
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